Aloha everyone! I am Type A and was diagnosed with high cholesterol at the age of 12. Yes, very young, but high cholesterol and heart disease runs in my father's side of the family. My youngest sister was also diagnosed with high cholesterol at 12 years old as well. My father had a heart attack in his 50's (he survived) and his dad died from a heart attack in his 40's. My father takes medication for his high cholesterol and has quit smoking and has made some life changes. He is Type A as well, but he's already told me that he isn't going to give up meat. However, he has cut back a lot and tries to eat more fish.

Well, my concern is whether I'll be able to lower my cholesterol solely from following the BTD and altering my lifestyle. My doctor said if I don't lower my cholesterol on my own within 6 months, then I will be put on medication (statins). In my teens and early to mid 20's, I ate a lot of meat - I mean A LOT. I am now in my late 20's and am wondering if I'll be able to start over and start fresh and undo the negatives that I've caused myself? What do you think? Other than high cholesterol, I suffer from heart palpitations. It feels like my heart literally skips a beat and there is an empty feeling in my chest accompanied by a feeling of doom. Another heart concern I have is that it doesn't take much to get it to beat hard and fast. Just standing up causes a pounding in my chest and I get dizzy and have to bend over and hang my head for a few seconds before I can stand straight up. Also, when I work out my heart pounds. I tried doing yoga yesterday and could only tolerate 15 minutes of it before I felt wobbly and felt like I needed a nap. I'm also tired all the time and have a lack of energy. I am a light sleeper and do not sleep well at night. I NEVER sleep through the night. I also get headaches often, to the point where I carry a bottle of Tylenol with me at all times. I also have a lot of "brain farts" and can't remember words while I'm talking. I don't know if this is relevant, but I am thin (5'5", 95 lbs), but I have excess fat on my belly.

I know these are a lot of things to consider, but I would really love to hear your suggestions and/or experiences. Are there certain foods I should eat to help lower my cholesterol? I have high hopes that if I start eating for my type then I'll be able to control my Type A ailments. Thank you for listening!

I am not an expert on this...but I would think that you CAN lower your cholesterol by following your BTD diet - faithfully and compliantly. I have read case stories in Dr. D.'s books of people who have improved all kinds of conditions and been able to give up or vastly reduce their medications by following BTD. I'd bet you can, too. I'm sure people will weigh in with more advice. But I just wanted to offer you my encouragement and support. You can do this!

My cardiologist sent me a link stating that two apples a day can lower your LDL. Sorry, I don't have the link, but I am sure you can look it up. Okra can also, so I have been told, lower your LDL. I cannot eat apples as they are not on my diet and Okra is not available here where I live, so I cannot attest to whether these foods work or not. Exercise is excellent for lowering cholesterol.

It would be helpful if you could post what a typical day of food looks like for you. Also, I see that you are an A. Do you know if you are Rhesus + or -, or any other pertinent information such as secretor status?

Also, have you seen a cardiologist for your heart issues? There are so many things that can cause heart arrhythmias or other cardiac issues.

Dr. D says that wheat is the primary cause for heart disease in people with type A and type O. Red meat is not good for type A, but you need protein in the form of fish, fish, fish and more fish (which is good for your heart), chicken and tofu or soy products.

My family has very serious heart disease as well and it is why I am following this diet. I am a type O and one brother is type O, my sister and other brother are type A. All three of my siblings have had bypass surgery, with my sister and brother, both type A's having heart attacks and cardiac arrest, and my type O brother not having either, but still needing a quadruple bypass. All my male cousins have heart disease and one female cousin having heart disease. I totally can relate to your concern.

Aloha everyone! I am Type A and was diagnosed with high cholesterol at the age of 12. Yes, very young, but high cholesterol and heart disease runs in my father's side of the family. My youngest sister was also diagnosed with high cholesterol at 12 years old as well. My father had a heart attack in his 50's (he survived) and his dad died from a heart attack in his 40's. My father takes medication for his high cholesterol and has quit smoking and has made some life changes. He is Type A as well, but he's already told me that he isn't going to give up meat. However, he has cut back a lot and tries to eat more fish.

Well, my concern is whether I'll be able to lower my cholesterol solely from following the BTD and altering my lifestyle. My doctor said if I don't lower my cholesterol on my own within 6 months, then I will be put on medication (statins). In my teens and early to mid 20's, I ate a lot of meat - I mean A LOT. I am now in my late 20's and am wondering if I'll be able to start over and start fresh and undo the negatives that I've caused myself? What do you think? Other than high cholesterol, I suffer from heart palpitations. It feels like my heart literally skips a beat and there is an empty feeling in my chest accompanied by a feeling of doom. Another heart concern I have is that it doesn't take much to get it to beat hard and fast. Just standing up causes a pounding in my chest and I get dizzy and have to bend over and hang my head for a few seconds before I can stand straight up. Also, when I work out my heart pounds. I tried doing yoga yesterday and could only tolerate 15 minutes of it before I felt wobbly and felt like I needed a nap. I'm also tired all the time and have a lack of energy. I am a light sleeper and do not sleep well at night. I NEVER sleep through the night. I also get headaches often, to the point where I carry a bottle of Tylenol with me at all times. I also have a lot of "brain farts" and can't remember words while I'm talking. I don't know if this is relevant, but I am thin (5'5", 95 lbs), but I have excess fat on my belly.

I know these are a lot of things to consider, but I would really love to hear your suggestions and/or experiences. Are there certain foods I should eat to help lower my cholesterol? I have high hopes that if I start eating for my type then I'll be able to control my Type A ailments. Thank you for listening!

Resveratrol is probably one of the best things to use found in red wine and red or black grape juice. Also red yeast rice is something to try as well as gugulipids for something natural.